CWM visits Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago, resumes partnership dialogue

by Cheon Young Cheol

Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum, General Secretary of the Council for World Mission (CWM) visited the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago (PCTT) from 11-13 January.

The visit resumed the process that will see PCTT becoming a full member of CWM’s global family of churches. The invitation to PCTT to join CWM was halted with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As the world settles into a post-pandemic landscape, discussions have been underway to induct new members into CWM.

Keum was warmly received by both the PCTT Moderator and General Secretary, the Rt. Rev. Daniel Chance, and Mr P.E. Ashford D. Tamby respectively, as well as other PCTT leaders.

In his greetings to PCTT, Keum spoke on the deep and historic relationship that the two organisations share, one that illustrates the enduring power of faith and the transformative potential of interdenominational co-operation.

“The London Missionary Society (LMS), CWM’s predecessor, created a profound and inspiring connection with Trinidad and Tobago in the early 19th century,” revealed Keum who highlighted the founding of PCTT by LMS missionaries including Thomas Adam and Rev. Rayner who landed on the shores of Trinidad and Tobago in 1809.

Even though Trinidad and Tobago faced immense challenges such as fierce resistance from colonial powers, the plight of freed slaves, and the needs of indentured laborers from India, they built learning institutions and churches which would shape minds and establish the moral compass that continue to shape contemporary Trinidadian and Tobagonian society today. Recently, Trinidad and Tobago’s government declared a state of emergency following gun violence.

The faith community in Trinidad and Tobago and the country at large still grapple with many significant societal challenges from poverty, inequality, crime, and climate change.

While lauding the PCTT’s unceasing faith in facing these issues, Keum also highlighted the benefits that the impending partnership will forge by allowing the church an amplified voice on these critical difficulties, be it on the local, regional, and global levels.

“This potential partnership with the CWM offers immense opportunities for mutual growth and impact. Joining the CWM network will provide the PCTT with access to a wealth of resources – from financial support and theological training programmes to leadership development opportunities,” explained Keum who also revealed that a specially appointed Membership Task Force will be working with PCTT to finalise the membership process by the next CWM Annual Members Meeting in June.

Keum also met with the various PCTT boards of governance as well as the Susamachar Presbyterian Church—the home church of the largest PCTT congregation and birthplace of several pivotal institutions, including the Presbyterian Theological College, Teacher’s College, and Naparima College, the first Presbyterian secondary school in the country.

Keum also attended and delivered greetings on behalf of CWM at the induction of Rev. Shirvan Siloch at the Barrackpore Union Presbyterian Church, where he assumed the office of the Minister of the Barrackpore Pastoral Region, historically a major centre of the rice and sugar industry in the country.

Naparima College, the first Presbyterian secondary school in the country.

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